LOS ANGELES —
House of Cards made Emmy history yesterday with a nomination for top drama series,
marking the first time that the leading TV awards have recognized a program delivered online — in
this case, via Netflix — among the best shows on television.

The nomination, one of nine nods earned by the political thriller, reflects the unfolding
revolution in how video entertainment is received and watched.

“It’s really groundbreaking,” said Ted Sarandos, chief content officer for Netflix.“It’s beyond
our most bold expectations. We were thinking a single nomination would be a win. ... It’s as much a
win for Internet television as it is for the content creators.”

The most Emmy nominations, 17, went to
American Horror Story: Asylum. Following close behind:
Game of Thrones, with 16; and
Saturday Night Live and the HBO movie
Behind the Candelabra, about Liberace, with 15 each — including those for
Candelabra stars Michael Douglas and Matt Damon.

The bonanza of nominations for
Game of Thrones represents the most yet for the swords-and-fantasy show and includes
a drama-series nomination.

House of Cards stars Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright were given acting bids, as were
other primarily big-screen actors — such as Douglas and Damon — who have migrated to television for
powerhouse projects.

Also nominated for best drama series:
Breaking Bad,
Downton Abbey,
Mad Men and 2012 winner
Homeland.

The major broadcast networks were shut out of the prestigious category — a repeat of last year
and a particular blow with the entry of the streamed Netflix drama.

Arrested Development, another Netflix series, wasn’t mentioned among the best comedy
series but scored three nominations, including one for star Jason Bateman. (It was named best
comedy series in 2004, before it was canceled by Fox.)

A 6-year-old rule change by the TV academy allows for online entries to compete with cable and
broadcast programs, although Internet shows have popped up only in lower-profile categories.

“It certainly is a marker of the new era. ... It will send shock waves through the industry,”
Tim Brooks, a TV historian and former network executive, predicted on the eve of the
nominations.

They were announced by Aaron Paul, a previous winner for
Breaking Bad and a nominee again this year; and Emmy host Neil Patrick Harris — who
filled in for
House of Cards actress Kate Mara, kept in Santa Fe, N.M., because of a malfunctioning
plane.

“Special thanks to Kate Mara,” Harris said, “for getting me out of the house before my kids
start screaming and crying.”The winners of the 65th annual Primetime Emmys will be announced during
a Sept. 22 ceremony on CBS.